Making the best of things this autumn?

[Butteredbagette]

With cases of covid19 rising, new restrictions coming in, local lockdowns increasing I think many of us are realising that this isn't going to be over any time soon and that the coming winter and festive season will be especially tough.

I know that many are very upset and that this thread won't be of much comfort to lots of people who are really struggling but I am looking for ideas on how to make the best of the next 6 months or so given where we are?

A couple of things I am doing is overhauling my diet with a view to losing a little weight hopefully for good rather than my usual pre-christmas dash to slim down for christmas.

The lack of commute means I have more time for proper routines and I've been getting to bed earlier and reading a lot more.

Also I have a home use skin laser that works but does make my face very red. As I won't be doing any socialising for the forseeable future now is the perfect time to use it.

Also doing some online courses to learn some new skills for my work which I've been meaning to do for ages.

I'm going to really miss all the usual autumn celebrations we have here but am determined to make the best of it with lots of walks, nice food and hyggi.

Anyone else got any ideas to add?

Opps should be hygge!

Getting outdoors as much as possible! I’ve made sure we all have appropriate outdoor clothing ready for winter.

Yes lots of walks here too! Bought some nice flasks for tea and homemade soup so we can get out and enjoy the autumn scenery! Its a beautiful time of year!

We’re making sure there is plenty to occupy evenings so jigsaws, crafts, games, online box sets etc. Cosy blankets and hot chocolate.

I've bought a really warm jacket and some snow boots so I can still get out for walks when the weather gets really cold. I've also got a snowsuit for the baby and a zip in expander panel for my jacket so it fits around him in the sling.

I'm going to buy some nice (freezable/non-perishable) Xmas food & treats over the next few weeks so we don't have to worry about missing out if the supermarkets have stock/delivery issues again. Also budgeting to make some donations to local food banks so other families less fortunate than us can have a better Xmas.

@goodnightsugarpop

I've bought a really warm jacket and some snow boots so I can still get out for walks when the weather gets really cold. I've also got a snowsuit for the baby and a zip in expander panel for my jacket so it fits around him in the sling.

I'm going to buy some nice (freezable/non-perishable) Xmas food & treats over the next few weeks so we don't have to worry about missing out if the supermarkets have stock/delivery issues again. Also budgeting to make some donations to local food banks so other families less fortunate than us can have a better Xmas.

Great plans and ideas especially about donations for the food bank!

Looking forward to taking my lovely new rescue dog out on some autumn walks. Romantic notion of crisp autumn mornings which will probably be more Mancunian and damp and grey but hey.

Like the evening entertainment ideas and the soup and flasks.

I'll also be ensuring I keep on top of my naked wine deliveries ;0)

Lots of winter walks :)

Also I will still be decorating for Halloween! Probably more than normal. I really want to get into the spirit of everything. I will be leaving sweets outside so children can take some if they walk past.

And lots of baking!

And do lots of housey things:) normally we travel a lot over autumn and winter but we are saving money now so will really be focusing on making it nice.

Lovely thread.

After years of driving, we have just started walking to school.

I am going to get lots of Christmas magazines and do things like home made mince pies and cranberry sauce.

Such great ideas everyone! I'm going to decorate for Halloween and plan a mini home horror film Festival to get in the spirit.

Baking, jigsaws and hot chocolate sounds good as well. I'm going to try and make sure I have something nice to look forward to every day even if its just a nice cup of tea and half an hour with my book!

Oooh lovely thread! I'm planning....

• weekly roast dinners and nice homemade puddings
• lots and LOTS of walks in the woods, beach etc
• Halloween activities at home, family horror film, trick or treat scavenger hunt round the house and a party tea
• sparklers in the garden
• trying to watch all the Christmas films this year
• Xmas jigsaw - never done one!
• trying to play all the board games in the house at least once!
• lots of new baking for Xmas
• just trying to have really relaxed home time so that school and work just plods along 🤞

We usually bake more as the temperature drops, use the heat from oven to warm the kitchen.

We have mastered mini bread rolls baked in a tray with camebert. Healthy it is not! This season would like to master the perfect tray of gooey brownies, the bottom middle is still too runny before the edges crisp too much! It's a project.

I have a great 1000 piece Chris Thompson jigsaw he paints bright fun modern surreal images that are more fun than fuddy duddy he has done a "Christmas cupboard" one which is great if you want a festive recommendation.

Stop frame Lego animation movies, showed them some examples of Eddie Izzard sketches in Lego on YouTube (slightly colourful language would advise parents watch first) which they loved and as we have all the Lego pieces ever made we might as well do something with them, I built a "set" loosely based on the ground floor of our house (it's not a big house, especially in relation to the Lego ownership ratio) was going to get them to put storm troopers on the sofa etc.

I might attempt to teach the how to make something simple on sewing machine, t-shirt, teddy, pillowcase - there will be many hours to fill.

And have rainy afternoons pampering with warm footbaths and foot lotions.

Find some good literature.

Story cubes are fun you throw dice with pictures there are a few different themed sets we mix and match and you all have to make up stories which include the thrown dice elements. Sometimes the kids actually come up with genuinely good stuff.

I have an autumn birthday and like to have a "Birthday Month" despite being in my 50s So I will be meeting friends and family (within the rules of course) having lots of dinners and lunches out.

At home I will be continuing to WFH which I absolutely love, cuddling DCat, watching Murder Mysteries on TV, curling up with a cup of tea, glass of wine, and a blankie.

I will read more, and go for lovely walks on the beach. I have a good quality parka and a hat with flaps over my ears.

I think it will be tricky to maintain my weight but I will do my best.

I'd buy winter clothes now, at the start of lockdown in march loads of children's stuff seemed to go out of stock (adults didn't seem as much of an issue). I've got some waterproofs, a fleece all in one, mittens etc for DS, he loves being outdoors so I figure at least that's something to do when the weather is rubbish!

We're finally going to watch all of our "24" box sets we've had for years and never watched! Lots of painting projects in the house planned, going to keep up my piano playing and lots of books to read. Oh and 70 tulip bulbs brought from Wilko ready to plant for spring

Ooh I like this thread, just writing out a list for my autumn. Think it is going to include lots of walks on the beach with hot chocolates, Lego, and going to chose a new recipe a week to cook, oh and plan my garden for next year.

Nice to read a positive thread! Lots of good ideas here 😊

Wfh, so now I have a project to create an office in the house as this is going to be needed long term / forever
Walks (but not local along the pavements, that was shit(
Season 4 of 90 day fiance on TLC
Xmas movies
Continue diet, loose shesloads of weight and be gorgeous by the time a vaccine comes out

Brilliant thread. I'm already drafting my list for Operation Cosy. Got a new faux fur throw from John Lewis and will be making a list of Autumn candles that I want to buy. Already planning on decorating our communal gardens with skeletons and tombstones and webbing and planning on buying around 30 pumpkins from the local farm to put everywhere. Already ordered my battery tea lights.

Keep the ideas coming.....

Love this. We need to try and make the best with what we have, although this will be a lot harder for some than others of course.
My plans are, lots of walks, online yoga course, a couple of new board games, box sets, OU course, get some new snuggly throws for the sofa, make time to read the new books I’ve accumulated, donate unwanted books and dvds to others, collect food bank donations and try and maintain a healthy diet. Won’t feel like am missing out on the Christmas parties and family events too much, just trying to reframe it mentally as a different year this year, we are all becoming well practiced after all.
Thinking of those who are struggling.

Tidy up garden and prep for spring as part of a big and very enjoyable project.
sort out all clothes into comfortable warm and STYLISH wood/dog walking.
Buy in lots of tinned veg/dried legumes etc and dig out slow cooker.
chimney swept, wood ordered. Will be nice to work from home with the fire roaring and a bit of soothing music on in the background.
Sort my book collection out so that when I log off the computer, I use the aforementioned fire to curl up and read when I would normally be commuting!
Support friends who are still shielding by buying little treats and dropping them off (hot choc, nice bread etc as they don't get this delivered)
Swap my far away expensive gym for basic one 5 mins from house.

Occasions where you may meet up in groups like Halloween and Bonfire night can still be fun. Decorate house, children drawing/painting a picture for the occasion, carving pumpkins, outdoor Halloween games, some made up to incorporate trick and treat in your home, sparklers, a themed tea - sausages, burgers etc. Also s teatime walk with children to see everyone's pumpkins on display - maybe they get a sweet for each one they see, that'll get them exercising.

We're into walking, so have checked our winter coats/boots are in good condition. Walking can include an extra family member or friend so s good way to see them and safer.

Games, jigsaws, movie nights. We have some new recipes lined up to try on a Saturday night.